Wednesday, February 28, 2007

www.nycdisc.comLooking for a Spinal Decompression Specialist in New York City?Choose the experts. Call (212) 645-8151 or call toll free 888 NYC-DISCNot ready for Back surgery yet.This is one of the most revolutionary non-invasive procedures to effectively help treat the most common causes of low back pain.Herniated Disc, Sciatica, Bulging Disc,Degenerative Disc, Pinched nervesVisit the website of New York City Spinal Decompression Specialist www.drshoshany.comWhy suffer any more.If you have questions please call or email.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

These arrrow represent the increase in the intra-discal height that occur when you undergo spina decompression using the DRX 9000 system that I utulize in my Manhatttan Spinal Decompression practice.If you live or work in Metro New York City, please visit www.drshoshany.com to learn more how spinal decompression can help you with your herniated disc pain.

What causes low back pain?Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors from injuries to the effects of aging.The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae, which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are soft discs with a ligamentous outer layer. These discs function as shock absorbers to protect the vertebra and the spinal cord. Many of the problems that cause back pain are the result of herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Degeneration is a process where wear and tear causes deterioration of the disc. Herniations, or bulging of the disc are protrusions from the disc that press on surrounding nerves, causing pain or numbness.If I undergo DRX 9000 treatment, how long does it take to see results?Most patients report a reduction in pain after the first few sessions. Typically, significant improvement is obtained by the second week of treatment.How long does it take to complete DRX 9000 treatment?Patients remain on the system for 30-45 minutes, daily for the first 2 weeks, three times a week for the following 2 weeks, and followed up by two times a week for the last 2 weeks.Do I qualify for the DRX9000 treatment?Since I began using the DRX 9000 spinal disc decompression unit, I’have been inundated with questions from both doctors and patients as to which cases it will best help. Obviously proper patient selection is essential to favorable outcomes, so let me explain to you of the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so you may make the right decision since not everyone qualifies for the DRX treatment.Inclusion Criteria:Pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than four weeks oldRecurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is more than six months old.Persistent pain from degenerated disc not responding to four weeks of therapy.Patients available for four weeks of treatment protocol.Patient at least 18 years of age.Exclusion Criteria:Appliances such as pedicle screws and rodsPregnancyPrior lumbar fusion less than six months oldMetastatic cancerSevere osteoporosisSpondylolisthesis (unstable)Compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1 (recent).Pars defectPathologic aortic aneurysm.Pelvic or abdominal cancerDisc space infectionsSevere peripheral neuropathyHemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction.Are there any side effects to the treatment?Most patients do not experience any side effects. Though, there have been some mild cases of muscle spasm for a short period of time.

What is the difference between the DRX9000 and the VAX-D?

The DRX is three generations past the initial VAX-D table developed years ago. Actually, the former North American distributor of VAX-D is the present manufacturer of DRX who had requested upgrades to the VAX-D unit but was refused, which explains why the VAX-D hasn’t changed in twenty years. So he and other decompression spinal practitioners brainstormed the problems with VAX-D, and with the help of many engineers, the DRX 9000 unit was developed just two years ago.The most obvious differences between the DRX9000 and the VAX-D would be their success rate and the comfort levels while a patient is being treated. Below are some side by side comparisons.DRX9000Patient lays on back (supine)Harnesses prevent any stress to the shoulders or arms.The amount of decompression can be targeted to the specific disc level by varying the angle of traction.VAX-DPatient lies face down (prone) which can be very uncomfortableRequired patients had to hold on with their hands causing severe shoulder/arm problemsNonspecific for disc levels with its straight-line tractionHow does the DRX 9000 separate each vertebra and allow for decompression at a specific level?Decompression is achieved by using a specific combination of spinal positioning and varying the degree and intensity of force. The key to producing this decompression is the gentle pull that is created by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are generated on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is avoided. Avoiding this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted areaIs there any risk to the patient during treatment on the DRX 9000?NO. The DRX 9000 is totally safe and comfortable for all subjects. The system has emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator. These switches (a requirement of the FDA) terminate the treatment immediately thereby avoiding any injuries.How does the DRX 9000 treatment differ from ordinary spinal traction?Traction is helpful at treating some of the conditions resulting from herniated or degeneration. Traction cannot address the source of the problem. The DRX 9000 creates a negative pressure or a vacuum inside the disc. This effect causes the disc to pull in the herniation and the increase in negative pressure also causes the flow of blood and nutrients back into the disc allowing the body's natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disc. Traction and inversion tables, at best, can lower the intradiscal pressure from a +90 to a +30 mmHg. The DRX 9000 is clinically proven to reduce the intradiscal pressure to between a -150 to -200 mmHg. Traction triggers the body's normal response to stretching by creating painful muscle spasms that worsen the pain in affected area.Can the DRX 9000 be used for patients that have had spinal surgery?In most cases the DRX 9000 treatment is not contra-indicated for patients that have had spinal surgery. In fact many patients have found success with the DRX 9000 after a failed back surgery.Who is not a candidate for spinal decompression therapy?Anyone who has recent spinal fractures, surgical fusion or metallic hardware, surgically repaired aneurysms, infection of the spine, and/or moderate to severe osteoporosis.Who is a candidate for spinal decompression?Anyone who has been told they need surgery but wishes to avoid it, anyone who has been told there is nothing more available to help, anyone who failed to significantly respond to conservative options (medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture), or anyone who still has pain but wishes to obtain the type of care they want.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

www.drshoshany.comFor the first time last night I saw a positive news report on Channel 11.The segment featured a colleague Dr. Howard Goodman D.C.The segment talked about insurance coverage and how they do not pay for this service.I mentioned earlier that this is still considered experimental and investigational, but what is interesting is the results are outstanding and the no chance of injuring a patient.If you have a herniated disc and are interested in Spinal Decompression please visit www.drshoshany.comI believe that is a step in the right direction and when the insurance companies realize that this procedure is an affordable option to expensive and risky back surgery they may start to cover it.I make it affordable to my patients by offering them interest free payment plans for up to 18 months.To learn more about spinal decompression visit my site at www.drshoshany.com or call (212) 645-8151 to learn more how Spinal decompression can help you overcome the pain!